The 36-year-old actor - who is himself a recovered heroin addict - has told a panel of British Members of Parliament reviewing the government`s drugs strategy that many people who take drugs consider the law as an "inconvenience" and an alternative approach to an outright ban should be taken.

He said: "A good number of times I was arrested was simply for possession and the administrative costs of that would be better spent, I think, on education and addressing the costs of treatment. I think that would be a very, very sensible use of those redirected funds.
"I`m not a legal expert, but I`m saying that to a drug addict, the legal status is irrelevant. It is at best an inconvenience. If you need to get drugs because you`re a drug addict, you`re going to get
drugs regardless of their legal status so the more money you waste in administering and controlling that ... I think there`s a futility to it."

Russell - who turned up to the London review in a black hat and torn jeans - added some people take drugs in a safe environment and believes an open and honest debate is the way forward.

He said: "I think some people can safely take drugs, I think they can ? As long as it doesn`t turn them into criminals, or harm their health, then I don`t feel as if it`s any of my business.

"Let`s have an authoritative, truthful, honest debate and some funding for abstinence-based recovery."
sections: Celebrities